Imposed magnetic field and hot electron propagation in inertial fusion hohlraums

• Published in: Journal of plasma physics 2015-12, Vol.81 (6), Article 475810603
• Main Authors: Strozzi, David J., Perkins, L. J., Marinak, M. M., Larson, D. J., Koning, J. M., Logan, B. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION; Bremsstrahlung; Computational fluid dynamics; Deuterium; Electrons; Energetic Electrons in Space and Laboratory Plasmas; Fluid flow; Hohlraums; Hot electrons; Hydrodynamics; Ignition; Inertial confinement fusion; Inertial fusion (reactor); Laser beams; Magnetic fields; Particle in cell technique; Plasma physics; Plasmas (physics); Raman spectra; Tritium
• ISSN: 0022-3778; 1469-7807
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022377815001348

The effects of an imposed, axial magnetic field $B_{z0}$ on hydrodynamics and energetic electrons in inertial confinement fusion indirect-drive hohlraums are studied. We present simulations from the radiation-hydrodynamics code HYDRA of a low-adiabat ignition design for the National Ignition Facility, with and without $B_{z0}=70~\text{T}$ . The field’s main hydrodynamic effect is to significantly reduce electron thermal conduction perpendicular to the field. This results in hotter and less dense plasma on the equator between the capsule and hohlraum wall. The inner laser beams experience less inverse bremsstrahlung absorption before reaching the wall. The X-ray drive is thus stronger from the equator with the imposed field. We study superthermal, or ‘hot’, electron dynamics with the particle-in-cell code ZUMA, using plasma conditions from HYDRA. During the early-time laser picket, hot electrons based on two-plasmon decay in the laser entrance hole (Regan et al., Phys. Plasmas, vol. 17(2), 2010, 020703) are guided to the capsule by a 70 T field. Twelve times more energy deposits in the deuterium–tritium fuel. For plasma conditions early in peak laser power, we present mono-energetic test-case studies with ZUMA  as well as sources based on inner-beam stimulated Raman scattering. The effect of the field on deuterium–tritium deposition depends strongly on the source location, namely whether hot electrons are generated on field lines that connect to the capsule.